


Full nature
It’s easy to get to the mountains from Pau: whether you’re skiing in winter or hiking in summer, the Pic d’Ossau is a gateway to the great outdoors. You’ll discover rare and typical flora and fauna, and come across sheep or Merens horses while hiking in the estives, before winter spreads its white cloak and makes it inaccessible to the uninitiated.
It was with the arrival of Pyreneanism in the 19th century and the development of mountain tourism that the Ossau valley and its proud Pic emerged from their isolation. Passes, peaks and scenic beauty were a sporting challenge worthy of the first explorers. With its unspoilt natural beauty, the Pic d’Ossau has been part of the Pyrenees National Park since 1967.
The two mountain resorts of Gourette and Artouste, created in the 20th century, welcome ski enthusiasts every winter, and hikers and nature lovers in summer, in unspoilt natural surroundings.